NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Lorax’ at No. 1 with $70.7M debut

LOS ANGELES

“Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” raked in all kinds of green, earning $70.7 million in its first weekend to score the biggest box-office debut of the year by far.

The 3-D animated family film from Universal Pictures, featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, is based on Seuss’ cautionary fable about the importance of preserving the environment.

Coming in second place with a strong debut of its own was the R-rated “Project X,” about a trio of high school misfits who throw a raging party in hopes of becoming popular. The Warner Bros. comedy made about $20.8 million, according to Sunday studio estimates.

Last week’s No. 1 movie, “Act of Valor,” dropped to third place with $13.7 million. The action picture from Relativity Media, which stars real, active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs, has made over $45.2 million total.

In fourth place was “Safe House,” with $7.2 million; and in fifth place was “Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds,” with $7 million.

Guitarist Ronnie Montrose dies

SAN FRANCISCO

Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock’s heavy hitters, has died.

His booking agent, Jim Douglas, says Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, Calif. He was 64.

Douglas says Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and what Douglas termed “personal demons.”

In addition to forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Douglas says Montrose was working on releasing a DVD and starting a tour that would have taken him across the U.S.

Montrose is survived by his wife, Leighsa, as well as a son, a daughter and five grandchildren.

Associated Press